A RECORD number of babies were born in Australia in 2021, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, with Bass Coast Health (BCH) also experiencing an increasing trend.
Overall, 315,705 babies were born – about 20,000 more than the year before (an increase of 6.7%) – according to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Australia’s mothers and babies.
Consistent with previous trends, more women are giving birth later in life. In 2021, around 1 in 4 women who gave birth were aged 35 years and over.
According to BCH, more babies are being born at the Wonthaggi Hospital each year as the region’s population grows and as more people become aware of the family-focused midwifery service BCH offers.
In 2022, 179 babies were born at Wonthaggi Hospital, a slight increase on 2021 when they welcomed 173 babies, and an increase on 2020 when 110 babies were born.
This year, BCH anticipates around 200 births for 2023, or a 6% increase.
With the appointment of permanent Obstetricians to complement their GP Obstetric team, BCH is planning for the transition to a level 4 Maternity service from a level 3 service.
This will enable the 200 plus women each year who have to travel outside the sub-region because of increased clinical need or risk to have their baby at Wonthaggi Hospital.
“Our staffing profile has grown significantly over the past two years and we have a higher skilled and more stable midwifery team and Obstetric team,” according to BCH CEO Jan Child.
To cater for this significant future growth, BCH is working with Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale, and the Victorian Health Building Authority to prioritise early staging of the election commitment towards a new Maternity Unit.
“We have shell space ready to kit out in the new hospital and we are keen to take advantage of that foresight to bring our expanded services sooner,” Ms Child said.
